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Passion flower is a flowering plant that is indigenous to an area from the southeast US to Brazil and Argentina.

The passion flower gets its name from the fact that it reminded the early pilgrims of the suffering (or passion) of Christ.

Passion flower is frequently referred to as Apricot Vine, Maypops, Maracoc, Passion Vine and Granadilla. It has been used historically as a tobacco substitute and tranquilizer (among other things).

As well as having a profound effect on the central nervous system, passion flower also acts as an anti-spasmodic on the smooth muscles of the body, including the entirety of the digestion system, which is why it has the ability to promote and ease digestion.

It is considered by some as the herb of choice for the treatment of insomnia as it doesn't produce side effects and results in a relaxing, restful sleep without grogginess the next morning.

Further, it is non-addictive and can be used in both children and the elderly without leading to complications.

When used for its medicinal purposes, the whole plant may be used. It is normally collected after some of the berries have matured, then dried whole.

To make an effective passion flower tea, pour a cup of boiling water onto a teaspoonful of the dried herb and let it steep for 15 minutes. Drink a cup 30 minutes before retiring.

The Pacific islanders give the name Kava to both Piper Methysticum (a shrub belonging to the pepper family Piperaceae) and also to the drink made from it.

Piper methysticum can be found readily mainly in western Polynesia, especially in Tonga and Samoa, and the majority of Melanesia, including Fiji. It is also found on Pohnpei Island, in Micronesia.

Traditionally people prepare kava as a cold tea (an infusion made from straining a mixture of water and shredded and pounded fresh or dried root). A simple method of preparing kava tea involves putting two or more heaped teaspoons of kava root per person into a clean knotted stocking and then squeezing it into a bowl of cold water.

The tea usually produces a slight numbing of the tongue and lips at first, followed by somewhat talkative and euphoric behavior, a sense of clear thinking, well-being, calm and relaxation. Sleep associated with kava is peculiarly restful and there are no after effects the next day.

Kava can be bought at health food stores as a standardized extract and as a convenient method of anxiety relief as it is quick acting and very potent. You can also purchase kava in pill form.

Some sellers have packaged high-powered Kava mixtures in convenient mini spray bottles. These are handy to keep in a knapsack or purse and are very effective in providing a quick burst of relaxation. Just one or two quick sprays under the tongue can do wonders for the jitters and tension.

If you plan to purchase the raw root, it is wise to purchase whole, top grade lateral root.

Various concerns have been voiced recently concerning the safety of Kava following a small number of deaths from liver failure. As a result France and Switzerland have banned Kava, while Germany has made it available only by prescription. In the US the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has raised reservations over its use.

Controversy abounds, fuelled by the economic interest of kava exporting nations and disagreements between the medical establishment and champions of natural medicine. At the moment the 'jury is out' and only time will reveal the truth.

It is noted however that the Tongans have employed kava for hundreds of years and that it is of great significance within Tongan society.

A side-effect associated with the heavy use of kava is kava dermopathy - a scaly eruption of the skin. This disappears as soon as you stop using kave and is quite harmless. In the past, Hawaiians used to drink large quantities of kava to produce just this effect as a method of cleansing the skin and giving themselves a smoother, clearer complexion.

A native of the mountains of the western Mediterranean, Lavender is a flowering bush that was 'domesticated' by the Arabians after which it was spread across Europe by the Romans.

The Pilgrims brought Lavender to the United States and it was seen as one of the first garden plants in Australia during the 1800s. It can be found abundantly in the wild in many areas of the world as well as being garden grown in sunny, well-drained areas, for preference in a mildly alkaline soil. The smaller species also grow quite easily in well-drained pots.

The essential oil from this flowering herb acts to depress the central nervous system in a manner similar to many pharmaceutical tranquilizers.

Lavender is very useful and effective in its usage as a sleep aid. In addition to the use of lavender flowers in a tea, it can also be used as an essential oil distilled from the leaves, flowers and stems of the plant.

Lavender oil can be applied topically to relax the muscles or its aroma can be inhaled to get a calming effect. Rubbing lavender essential oil on the feet is a particularly effective method of application, as anything on the feet is absorbed very quickly.

Lavender oil is used extensively in aromatherapy and can be added to bathwater, dispersed in a vaporizer or simply put onto a tissue and breathed in. The essential oil from the flowers and leaves can also be used in a sachet underneath your pillow.

You should note that allergic contact dermatitis has been described in some people applying lavender products externally. To safely detect an allergic reaction it is advisable to do a spot test before administering a full application.

It should also be noted that not all varieties of lavender have a tranquilizing effect - some, like Spanish lavender, can have just the opposite effect.